India's family office ecosystem is undergoing a rapid transformation, both in scale and sophistication. What was once a niche domain has now become a major force in private wealth and investment strategy.
In 2018, India had just 45 family offices. By 2024, that number has surged to over 300 — a nearly sevenfold increase in just six years. These family-run investment entities are no longer passive wealth holders. Today, around 40% of their portfolios are allocated to private markets, reflecting a significant shift from traditional assets.
Institutional maturity is also on the rise: 59% of family offices now operate with formal governance structures or family constitutions, ensuring long-term planning and dispute mitigation. Nearly half of them invest directly in startups, while about one-third use private equity and venture capital funds as their investment vehicles.
Given this rapid evolution and growing influence, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is reportedly considering bringing family offices under formal regulation. Proposals under discussion include a dedicated regulatory category and mandatory disclosure requirements, which could improve transparency and accountability.
As wealth management in India enters a new era, family offices are poised to play a defining role—under closer regulatory scrutiny.
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